Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lovingly passing over, hopping and skipping

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The Hebrew word “aviv”, spring, sounds almost the same as “be’ahava”, with love, and is identical in its gymatria. Just a coincidence? We might never know. It’s up to us to choose what we want to see. That too, is … Continue reading →

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Seder Pesach in Bnai Brak Hills

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

It’s almost a regular seder. There is matza and grape juice, a lovely tablecloth and a beautiful seder plate, traditional hagadot and yummy food waiting. As the sun peaks in through the barred windows, it’s time to sit down and … Continue reading →

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Melting our hesitations by the fire

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Tzav, holds the middle point of the verses in the Torah, in the heart of the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus, Vayikra, is the only book whose name begins with a vav – a letter which … Continue reading →

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Dy Vehoter – Enough & Too much

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Penn Station Saturday night. Delayed trains due to weekend storms. A greatly excited crowd, many kipot, skirts and Hebrew, heading to Washington DC. 18,000 people; 4000 of whom are students. Many thousands square feet of meeting rooms. 50 solid hours … Continue reading →

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Light and shadow continues

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Purim in prison: once again, we head north to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility to celebrate Purim and read Megilat Esther with the women there. When we enter, we’re informed that there is a package for ‘us’: the New York Board … Continue reading →

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Dressing up!

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

What is it about our clothing? For the High Priest in this week’s Torah portion, תצוה Tetzave, it is quite a production with 8 pieces of garments he was to wear when serving in the Mishkan and later, in the … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Confusion

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The Torah portion of Teruma seems like quite the opposite of upcoming holiday of Purim (more below): there’s a list of materials and clear instructions how to build something very precise and specific. And still, even there, where everything is … Continue reading →

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Dancing together at Sinai

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

When religious Jews are asked, how are you? they often respond with “Baruch Hashem”, literally meaning, ‘praised be G-d’ or ‘thank G-d’. Turns out, in the Torah this construct is used largely by non-Jews, including, in this week’s Torah portion, … Continue reading →

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Shabbat Shira: “There can be miracles”

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The image of Miriam of the split sea with her drum is a favorite. So much so that tambourine in Hebrew is called “Miriam’s drum”. Rashi answers for us the question we didn’t think to ask: not like there were … Continue reading →

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On patience & haste, and what if we were G-d…

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Ten whole Plagues. Many days. Weeks. Months of preparations. There was even time to collect gold and silver vessels from the neighbors. Time to get organized and start baking… It seems like this could go on forever. And suddenly, chipazon!! … Continue reading →

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